The Democratic Unionist Party has given a clear assurance that it is willing to work with Sinn Féin in an executive that has devolved control of policing and justice.
Writing in today's Irish Times, the party's deputy leader, Mr Peter Robinson, says the transfer of justice and policing powers is "no big move" for unionists, but it cannot be agreed to without regard to the circumstances on the ground.
The DUP requires "the certainty" that Sinn Féin is employing "exclusively peaceful and democratic" means.
However, the mutual suspicion between the parties need not be a barrier to working together in a devolved executive, he argues.
"We do not need to like someone in order to work within the same structure for the people we represent," Mr Robinson writes.
"Many people recognised the immense difficulty in reaching agreement when the two main parties representing the two sections of the community are the DUP and Sinn Féin. Yet, this reality is a fact of political life that cannot be wished away. Whatever path we seek to lay out must face this reality." As things stood, policing powers could not be devolved, Mr Robinson argues.
"At the present time, I do not believe that nationalists would have sufficient confidence in a DUP policing and justice minister and, as I see it, the unionist community would certainly not tolerate a Sinn Féin minister in that post."
He lists four issues that need to be settled "if we are to succeed in reaching overall agreement".
These are:
a "definitive and conclusive end" to paramilitary activity;
the decommissioning of all paramilitary weapons "to an early time scale and on a convincing basis";
a "clear commitment on all sides to the stability of the political institutions and to changes to their operation agreed within the talks";
support for policing "from all sides of the community and an agreed framework for the devolution of policing."
Following "completion on the key issues", the DUP would "enthusiastically and robustly commend" an agreement to the wider unionist community, Mr Robinson writes.
Decommissioning and an end to paramilitary activity "would transform the political climate and justify greater faith in the political process. It is in this context - with the structures and institutions settled in and the agreement consolidated - that unionists would be looking for the transfer of further powers."
He said the party would be approaching September's talks in Leeds Castle "fully focused on attempting to deliver an agreement that will see devolved power being exercised in a stable, accountable and exclusively peaceful and democratic environment" .
The DUP deputy leader argues that the holding of a popular mandate alone does not make Sinn Féin democratic. Using language similar to Mr Tony Blair's terminology, he goes on to state: "There must be completion. Republicans must finally decide whether they are prepared to abandon the machinery of death and rely on their electoral mandate alone."
A party source last night said the DUP is seeking changes to provide for greater accountability of ministers to the Assembly. Such provisions could require legislation. Asked if this was tantamount to a renegotiation of the Belfast Agreement, the source said the DUP would "not get hung up on that".
Mr Robinson has repeatedly stated the agreement his party seeks with republicans and others will most likely not be concluded in the short term.
His references to the need for time and the building of unionist confidence in the bona fides of Sinn Féin appear to indicate a belief that there will be no dramatic breakthrough next month leading to early restoration of the Assembly.